Family Taxes in Canada: Spouse, Kids & Tax Credits You Shouldn’t Miss

Family is the foundation of life—and it plays a major role in your financial planning, especially when it comes to taxes. If you're married, in a common-law relationship, or raising children, you may be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax credits and benefits that many Canadians overlook.

7/4/20252 min read

At TikiTax, we’ve helped hundreds of families unlock savings by identifying the tax credits they didn’t know they qualified for. This article will walk you through the most valuable family-related tax benefits in Canada—and how to claim them properly and legally.

1. Filing Jointly or Separately? The Canadian Approach May Surprise You

In Canada, each person files their own tax return—even if you're married or in a common-law relationship. However, you must still report your spouse’s or partner’s information, including their net income.

Why does this matter?

Because many tax benefits and credits are based on family income, not just your individual income. For example:

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is calculated using your household income
GST/HST Credit eligibility depends on combined income
Spousal Amount applies if your spouse’s income is below a certain threshold

📌 Note: Failing to report your spouse or providing incorrect income info can result in CRA reassessments or delays in benefit payments.

2. Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Monthly Tax-Free Support for Families

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help families with children under 18. The amount you receive depends on:

Number of children
Their ages
Your combined net family income

As of 2025, families may receive up to $7,437 per child under 6, and $6,275 per child aged 6 to 17 (subject to annual updates).

💡 TikiTax Tip: Filing your taxes on time is required to receive or continue receiving CCB. Miss the deadline, and your payments may be interrupted.

3. Spousal & Dependant Credits: Reduce Your Tax Bill Through Family Status

If your spouse or common-law partner has low or no income, you may be eligible for:

Spousal Amount (Line 30300) – up to ~$15,000 in deductions, depending on your spouse’s income
Amount for Eligible Dependant (Line 30400) – for single parents supporting a child
Canada Caregiver Credit – for supporting a spouse or dependant with a disability

You may also qualify for:

Child Care Expenses: Claim costs of daycare, babysitters, summer camps, and after-school programs
Children’s Fitness & Arts Credits (varies by province): Some provinces still offer credits for kids’ extracurriculars
Tuition Transfer: If your child is a post-secondary student, unused tuition credits can be transferred to you

📌 Reminder: At TikiTax, we go line by line to ensure your family doesn't miss a single eligible tax credit.

4. Smart Tax Strategies Based on Household Income

There are several legal tax planning strategies that can help reduce your household’s total tax liability, such as:

Contribute to the higher earner’s RRSP to lower taxable income and increase refund
Income splitting via certain investments or business structures, if eligible
Use TFSA for savings to grow investments tax-free and avoid taxable interest

💡 These strategies must follow CRA guidelines—this is where a certified tax advisor can guide you safely and effectively.

Conclusion: Is Your Family Missing Out on Tax Money?

Every year, Canadian families miss out on thousands of dollars in refunds and benefits—simply because they don’t know what’s available or how to qualify.

At TikiTax, we specialize in: